German Insurer: Climate change a factor in extreme weather disasters

by Emily Gertz · 2008-12-30 13:12:00 UTC
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According to Torsten Jeworrek of insurer Munich Re, the devastation from disasters in 2008 was greater than in 2007, and the third most expensive year on record. "'Climate change has already started and is very probably contributing to increasingly frequent weather extremes and ensuing natural catastrophes,' Jeworrek told the BBC News. "If we delay too long [in controlling CO2 emissions to curb global warming], it will be very costly for future generations.'"

Over 220,000 people died in events like cyclones, flooding and earthquakes this year -- the highest number since 2004, the year of the Boxing Day Tsunami. Munich Re considers "natural" weather-related disasters like storms and flooding a continuation of a "long-term trend already observed." In monetary terms, overall global losses added up to around $200 billion, with uninsured losses of $45 billion, about 50% greater than in 2007.

One of 2007's extreme weather events was Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar on May 2 and 3. Seven months later, survivors are still struggling to rebuild, and facing water shortages.

Emily Gertz
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